Tag: Mark Rylance

BONES & All (2022)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Luca Guadagnino
Written By: David Kajganich 
Based on the Novel By: Camille DeAngelis
Cinematography: Arsani Khachaturen 
Editor: Margo Costa 

Cast: Taylor Russell, Timothee Chalamet, Mark Rylance, Michael Stuhlberg, Andre Holland, Jessica Harper, Chloe Sevigny, Sean Bridgers, David Gordon Green, Ellie Parker, 

A story of first love between Maren, a young woman learning how to survive on the margins of society, and Lee, an intense and disenfranchised drifter, as they meet and join together for a thousand-mile odyssey that takes them through the back roads, hidden passages and trap doors of Ronald Reagan’s America. But despite their best efforts, all roads lead back to their terrifying pasts and to a final stand that will determine whether their love can survive their otherness.

This is a film where you can watch and read into what you believe. As that seems to be its purpose. 

As it shows what can be the life of an addict. As the characters aren’t exactly junkies as they can go through periods of time without feeding but they know sooner or later they will have to feed to an extent and can’t quit and it can’t go away. So you can look at it as a story of addiction to a degree. 

This would explain why most are drifters and look trashy.

Though it is also a story of loneliness as they can detect one another and seem to need or desire to be around one another. Though the can’t completely trust one another. Though for little excursions they aren’t completely monsters or even vampires because at least as a vampire you have an epic weakness but it comes with supernatural powers. A kind of trade-off and a slice of life.

Though also as a predator and getting closer to their victims they have to play roles and have to invent and invest themselves in their lives. So that they get a glimpse into other’s lives as do we in the audience and have something to take away from it all, but also living a certain life and adventures for a while.

It’s no surprise the film is based on a young adult novel. At heart, it is a coming-of-age story of a girl who is 17 and is introduced to a world she has no training in and has to survive for herself through. Discovering the world is only a different one than most of us are used to. She also meets her first love and for a chunk of the film, we see their romance. Where they need one another to survive and she learns from him how to manage that life 

It’s another film for director Luca Guadagnino to present a forbidden love story or an unorthodox one here. 

It doesn’t eroticize violence or even sex. While there are both in the film. There isn’t an abundance of either. There are plenty of emotions and plenty of stand-alone scenes of suspense. As this film works in that way. There are some great scenes and the rest of the film is what you have to go through to get to them and inform them more.

The whole cast is superb and as always Mark Rylance Steals the movie. As the closest to a villain, the film has thought he comes across more as disturbed, sad and lonely. Though a one-scene cameo from Michael Schulberg is also a show stopper.

Though at times it does feel less random when it comes to the supporting cast and more like scenes that have been designated for guest stars that are important for the overall story, but still a little glad standing or too planned and it 

The two leads Taylor Russell and Timothee Chalamet impress as a kind of 1980’s lovers on the run in the Midwest that might remind some of BADLANDS for all the landscapes and relationships. Only they aren’t that vicious. As the first half of the film at least gives some direction as she searches for information about her mother. Though after that the film isn’t aimless but focuses more on trying to figure out a future.

It’s a film of a certain time period but not about the time period. As it explores some of the cultures of the time without it being dependent purely on pop culture or exploring the events of the time period when it takes place 

I can’t say I loved the film, but it is a film That challenges an audience not necessarily with shocks or endurance, but by not giving them what they want or stowaway. Not what they expect and offering a different point of view rather than the popular or most obvious one 

Which one tends to be a fan of as sometimes you feel like you are in on it. If you know what to expect or an experience that you know will challenge or upset others around you. Only they have no ideas what they are in for 

How we all long to make connections and how when we do it feels so special and one of a kind as we have the same afflictions, passions, and desires that no one else can understand.

The way it is presented finds a kind of beauty in a type of the ordinary and mundane of middle America. How something. So ordinary has extraordinary Bart things about it be it sights, land, mentality 

This is a film That if you pay close attention you will be able to find some kind of meaning for yourself and what the director is trying to present. Like the film purposely Challenges the audience It’s not cookie-cutter and is daring in It’s own right 

I give director Luca Guadagnino credit for trying to find beauty and substance throughout instead of making a typical or stylish horror film which it could have easily been. 

Grade: B-

THE OUTFIT (2022)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Graham Moore
Written By: Graham Moore & Jonathan McClain
Cinematography: Dick Pope
Editor: William Goldenberg 

Cast: Mark Rylance, Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien, Johnny Flynn, Simon Russell Beale, Alan Mehdizadeh, Nikki Amuka-Bird 

An expert cutter must outwit a dangerous group of mobsters in order to survive a fateful night.

The film makes a nice attempt at trying to breathe life into a throwback gangster tale. The cast is willing to throw their hearts and efforts into it to seem authentic.

The film takes place mainly in one location and is dialogue-heavy. So that it feels more suited for the stage rather than the screen. The constant twists the characters and story take will keep the audience’s interest. The double crosses galore. Which is one of the film’s strengths. As if not for that the film might have been more of a display in dress-up and been somewhat stiff.

What saves the film overall is the performance of the lead Mark Rylance who takes over the role and the film. As he stays focused and is so mesmerizing to behold that you wish the rest of the film was up to his level. 

This also leaves the cast just trying to catch up to him In Strength and charisma. Even if sometimes it feels like the younger cast members get lost in their costumes and various period-era accents. That places them more trying in the land of make-believe but good enough to keep the film going 

The film is more of a dark tale but never feels like it wallows in it. It is a nice presentation but doesn’t rise to the level overall that various parts of it do. So it feels unbalanced but a pleasant experience. 

Grade: B-

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 (2020)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Aaron Sorkin 
Cinematography: Phedon Papamichael 
Editor: Alan Baumgarten

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Alex Sharp, John Carroll Lynch, Yahya Abdul-Manteen II, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Ben Shenkman, Frank Langella, Michael Keaton, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Caitlin Fitzgerald 

What was intended to be a peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest–including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden, and Bobby Seale–were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot. The trial that followed was one of the most notorious in history.

This is a film that comes with a certain pedigree so that no matter what happens it constantly comes off with a certain pedigree.
It’s Certainly an eye-opening history lesson and recreation. That does feel like it was a film always planned as a live-action version of an animated documentary that tells the same tale. Only here the film filled with recognizable actors came in a vital time of the United States being in a personal political uproar. That not exactly was a repeat of the times that the film depicts but in a similar situation. Proving that history has a way of repeating itself. 

This film seemed to want to send a message of hope, faith, and belief or democracy and the power of individuals United in belief to hope to change the system and stand up for their rights and everyone’s.

The actors are all good. Even if some come off more like they are playing virtues and beliefs (Eddie Redmayne) rather Than characters. While others seem to be going more for impersonations. Then again some characters are written more vividly than others. As like the characters’ personalities some Are more dramatic some are more comedic.

Mark Rylance, certainly stands out amongst the cast. Even if his role isn’t as showy. Even as everybody here wants and deserves a Pat on the back for what they bring to the film and their roles. Ultimately at times like the film, it feels a bit self-serving. 

The script is good, it feels like it is more meant to say something about the then-current political times while going over historical events. 

The direction by screenwriter Aaron Sorkin is fine. No big flourishes, only wish that it might have been a bit stronger visually and made more of an impression in scenes. Especially those where there are action or powerful moments. 

For a film that seems to reach for so much and paint a bigger picture, it feels restricted or smaller than expected. Which works somewhat as reminding us that this was a microcosm of the country where so much was being decided. It also achieved letting it feel more personal and intimate. Though it feels different than what we are used to with historical films feeling epic and as big as the decisions and landmark history they bring forth. 

This is a crowd-pleasing tale of constant injustices that unfortunately seem to keep happening and have to be seen to be believed. 

Even if some might say that it Is mostly liberal infighting against injustices and a corrupt system that has sought fit to target them. As political leaders. 

Even as Bobby Seale’s story is so strong and fascinating than seems cut off at a certain point and out of the rest of the film. As in love he seemed lumped in with the rest randomly. 

The film stays entertaining. A s a smooth feel-good movie. It just never feels close to blowing you away. Though it is a story that needs to be told and shared. 

Grade: B-

THE GUNMAN (2015)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Pierre Morel
Written By: Sean Penn, Pete Travis & Don McPherson
Based on the Novel By: Jean-Patrick Machette
Cinematography By: Flavio Martinez Labiano
Editor: Frederic Thoraval

Cast: Sean Penn, Javier Bardem, Idris Elba, Mark Rylance, Ray Winstone, Jasmine Trinca, Peter Franzen 

A sniper on a mercenary assassination team kills the minister of mines of the Congo. Terrier’s successful kill shot forces him into hiding. Returning to the Congo years later, he becomes the target of a hit squad himself.

This seems like Sean Penn trying to be like Liam Neeson. Where after having a career doing more dramas here late in his career and in shape deciding to do an action movie. Only here more involved as he co-writes and produces this film.

At this point in his career, it seems like he has tried it all so why not an action hero? While also showing macho charisma while being the sensitive hero at the same time. While it is a change of pace. Sean Penn slides right in like he has been doing it forever. He does get to show off his body and the film includes some of his well-known Past times such as surfing that find their way into the film. 

If you notice this review mainly revolves around him. As truly he is the only noteworthy thing about this movie.

The movie isn’t as compelling as his other thriller THE INTERPRETER though that worked as it had a More sure hand direct by it with Sydney Pollack and worked more as a thriller and at least felt more like an ensemble while he starred in it.

This film seems to be more of an action film but it actually more an espionage film involving spies. Which should make it more intriguing. Unfortunately, it doesn’t In fact, the film seems more devoted to showing off Krav Maga as a fighting style.

It’s easy to get lost in espionage films as to the actual plot once it is finally uncovered. Though it does offer a mystery to be uncovered.

This seems like a film made for an older crowd. As it takes it’s time and offers up mostly older seasoned characters and not the hot young things. So that you know the characters are veterans and skilled. Not naive and learning along the way.

It has all the basic ingredients. As the action scenes are more in the second half and are pretty basic. It seems to hit all the required points but still comes off as dry. Though it seems to be more self-important and spread some kind of message before it becomes more centered on the action.

The love story in the middle of the film seems a bit lame but adds a little skin to the film as well as stakes. Plus can’t blame the filmmakers as this is based on a novel.

The film has some respectable actors shows g up in the film. Even though Idris Elba doesn’t appear until the third act. The film also seems to age funnily by putting up a red herring for a villain amongst the bigger names of the cast.

It seems the recognizable names in these types of films. Are here for easy paychecks and either to be red herrings as the main villain not end up being the surprise third act main bad guy.

Although the film was produced by veteran action producer Joel Silver, Silver was removed from the editing room after one visit, and the final cut of the film was supervised by actor Sean Penn and director Pierre Morel. Which would explain why this seems like Sean Penn porn as he seems all over and able to do everything and anything in this starring role. As it seems if he is going to crossover he wanted to truly make it worth it for him.

When it comes to Javier Bardem’s character you can understand his motivations but it feels so sappy and ridiculously is for a man in his line of work and position. So that even if not the main the film tries to make him seem noble but he comes off more as pathetic.

Grade: C